On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the 70th anniversary of the Schoenstatt Shrine in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland, was celebrated. It is a Shrine linked to the period of formation for many of the first generation of Schoenstatt Fathers from Chile, during the decade of the 50’s and the beginning of the 60’s, as well as for some Swiss and Germans, many of them who later founded the Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers.
That generation of Pallottine Fathers, as they were called at that time, lived in House Ville Therese, in whose garden the Shrine was built in 1954. From there they went to the Dominican Fathers’ college. That period is closely linked to the years of Father Kentenich’s exile in Milwaukee, USA.
70th Anniversary Celebration
Getting back to the celebration of the seven decades of the Shrine in Fribourg, the Eucharist celebrated in St. Paul’s Church, very close to the Shrine, was presided over by the diocesan bishop, Msgr. Charles Morerod. He celebrated the Eucharist in French and German, including some phrases in perfect Spanish.
In his homily he spoke about one of the things he likes most about Schoenstatt, namely, the gift that Jesus left as a testament to the Church, his Mother Mary, how her presence is perceived in the Shrine and the Movement and how she is taken into homes and families with her son. After the Bishop’s sermon, some people gave their testimony about the importance of the Shrine in their lives. We cannot fail to mention the Adoray youth choir that accompanied the beautiful celebration with their music.
It is also worth mentioning that the mayor of Freiburg, Thierry Steiert, honored the work of the Movement: “With its commitment…. Schoenstatt contributes to bring a little stability and humanity to our daily life. The city of Freiburg thanks you for this and will continue to see to it that the Shrine is a suitable place for this”.
A special shrine for many priests
Concelebrating were some Swiss diocesan priests involved in Schoenstatt, a couple of Schoenstatt Fathers (Fathers Edwin German and José Luis Correa) and a Kenyan priest who got to know Schoenstatt during his time studying and obtaining a doctorate in theology in Fribourg. He, a member of the Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests, has been a privileged instrument of the Blessed Mother in founding Schoenstatt in that African country.
Father Hubert Vonlanthen, parish priest in a neighboring town, and member of the Federation of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests of Switzerland and of the International Direction of that community, oversees the pastoral responsibility of the Shrine along with a commission of lay members of the Movement of different nationalities, among them many Hispanic Americans.
New jar, many contributions to the Capital of Grace
About 250 people participated in the Holy Mass, among them several Sisters of Mary and some religious sisters from other congregations. After the Mass there was lunch and in the afternoon, there was a pilgrimage to the Shrine.
The highlight of the day was the thanksgiving celebration in the Shrine with the presentation of the new golden jar to Our Lady with the inscription in three languages: You have no more wine. Many participants declared that this celebration – indeed, the whole day – had touched them deeply. Their beaming faces of joy and gratitude attested to this.
Building bridges between the different participating cultures was a real success and immensely enriched the celebration.
Translation: Maribel Acaron